Portsmouth Resolution Supporting Energize 360

BE IT RESOLVED: Endorsement of community-led Energize 360: Seacoast N.H. Program

WHEREAS, the coastal community of Portsmouth will face significant risks from coastal flooding and sea level rise accelerated by climate change; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth as a community decided through the adoption of its 2005 Master Plan to become more sustainable and ecologically friendly in order to safeguard it’s future; and

WHEREAS, the City Council voted unanimously to declare Portsmouth an Eco-Municipality in 2007 and signed a resolution which fully acknowledges Portsmouth’s commitment and desire to become more sustainable; and

WHEREAS, through the development of the draft Portsmouth 2025 Master Plan residents have expressed a strong desire for the City to become more resilient and more proactive in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources to help mitigate the climate change impacts for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Portsmouth is already taking measures to promote sustainable and renewable energy. Including a zoning ordinance to accommodate solar energy panels with relaxed dimensional standards and a property tax exemption for solar energy systems; and

WHEREAS, Energy leaders from Portsmouth, Dover, Durham, Lee and Northwood have joined forces to launch a community-led partnership between Seacoast Regional Energy Hub, Seacoast Renewable Energy Initiative (SEAREI) ReVision Energy and Yankee Thermal Imaging called Energize 360: Seacoast N.H. to encourage home and business owners to take control of their energy future by lowering energy use, driving down energy costs and transitioning to clean, renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, Every Energize 360 participant will get a free site visit, a Home Heating Index score and a comprehensive analysis of their energy usage specific to their homes. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase comprehensive energy audits, weatherization, solar electric systems under an exclusive tiered discount program and heat pump installations, as well as help qualifying for all available rebates and incentives;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Portsmouth hereby supports the Energize 360: Seacoast N.H. Program and any other similar organization that encourages its residents to investigate how this program could help them to take control of their energy future. Be it further resolved that the City will request appropriate personnel to assist Energize 360 program officials and city residents in navigating any city codes, ordinances and permitting that will apply to building improvements made under this program. Land use board approval may still be required for any such building improvements.